guidance

noun

guid·​ance ˈgī-dᵊn(t)s 

1

: the act or process of guiding

2

a

: the direction provided by a guide

giving expert/moral/spiritual guidance

couldn't have done it without her guidance

b

: advice on vocational or educational problems given to students

a guidance counselor

providing guidance on scholarships

3

: the process of controlling the course of a projectile by a built-in mechanism

problems with the missile's guidance

Synonyms of guidance

• advice

Examples of guidance in a Sentence

I couldn't have done it without her guidance.

We need more guidance on how to handle these unusual cases.

Recent Examples on the Web

The novel swings between the trivial and the dire, and in her bleakest moments Adora leans on the Stoics for guidance, thinking, C’mon, boys, don’t fail me now! —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

No one’s there to help provide guidance to those schools that may be intentionally or unintentionally denied access to equal educational opportunities for English learners. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026

Late last month, the department modified its guidance for outside law firms to clarify expectations about working excess hours. —Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026

Their young core will lean on veteran imports for some guidance. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

guide entry 2 + -ance

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guidance

• guidance counselor
• inertial guidance
• marriage guidance

Rhymes for guidance

• subsidence

Kids Definition

guidance

noun

guid·​ance ˈgīd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the act or process of guiding

2

: advice given to students to help them make educational or personal decisions

3

: the process of controlling the course (as of a missile) by built-in equipment

guidance system